In the tight-knit fabric of Harney County, we are more than just colleagues and neighbors; we are a community that carries the weight of one another’s burdens. The recent, heartbreaking loss suffered by Stephanie Sell and her family has been felt deeply across our entire region. In the wake of this tragedy, we have felt it necessary to speak openly to provide clarity and context, as misinformation has unfortunately clouded the conversation. Our priority remains extending our deepest sympathies to Stephanie and her loved ones during this window of profound grief, as we navigate this challenging chapter together with as much transparency and compassion as possible.
When a member of our hospital family faces a personal crisis, our commitment to supporting them goes beyond standard policies. Despite Stephanie having already exhausted her protected leave, we moved to grant her an additional 12 weeks of leave with benefits. Furthermore, in a moving display of the selflessness that defines our staff, many employees chose to donate their own hard-earned paid time off to ensure she remained supported financially during her absence. This culture of care is a hallmark of our organization, and we have also made sure that specialized support through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) remains available to the entire EMS team as they process these events.
The question of why an ambulance was not used in the funeral procession has been a significant point of pain for many in our community. We want to be clear: this decision was reached after careful legal review regarding the use of public resources. We recognize that our decision caused hurt, and for that, we are truly sorry. While we navigated the strict IRS regulations that govern how public hospitals must operate to maintain their nonprofit status—differentiating between community benefit activities and private proceedings—we clearly failed to meet the emotional needs of those we serve. Our intent was never to cause further distress, and we acknowledge that our actions, though rooted in legal compliance, missed the mark of the empathy this situation required.
Regarding the broader concerns surrounding our EMS professionals, we want to reiterate that our emergency responders are the lifeblood of Harney District Hospital. Over the past few years, we have made substantial investments to ensure they have the tools and support they deserve, from upgrading our fleet and equipment to ensuring 24/7 coverage by two fully trained teams. Much of the discourse has centered on working conditions and compensation. We have worked closely with the Teamsters Union to establish a Collective Bargaining Agreement that reflects the specific needs and priorities identified by our EMS staff, including the structure of their shifts and wage scales.
To provide transparency on this, our compensation packages are designed to be competitive and comprehensive. For our full-time EMTs, total compensation ranges from approximately $79,000 to over $122,000, while our paramedics’ packages range from roughly $112,000 to nearly $149,000—figures that include base salary, overtime, retirement, and significant health benefits. Like every department in a small hospital, our EMS team plays an integrated role in our healthcare mission. The occasional cross-departmental assistance is not unique to EMS, but rather a reflection of the flexible, all-hands-on-deck spirit that allows a rural hospital to provide high-quality care despite limited resources.
Ultimately, our goal as an organization is to foster a culture of support, kindness, and mutual respect. We know that emotions run high in the wake of tragedy, and we humbly ask for grace as we continue to support Stephanie and her colleagues. We are committed to moving forward, not by ignoring the criticism we have faced, but by learning from it. By sharing these facts, we hope to bridge the gap between misunderstanding and cooperation. Our commitment to the people of Harney County, our employees, and most importantly, to those like Stephanie who need us most, remains unwavering as we continue to serve this community with the professionalism and heart it deserves.